Irresistible Barefoot Contessa’s Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Baking can spark pure joy, especially when whipping up a batch of Barefoot Contessa salty oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies that redefine indulgence.

Rich chocolate chunks melt into crispy, golden oatmeal edges, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Ina Garten’s legendary recipe promises a delightful balance between sweet and salty that keeps you coming back for more.

These cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re a culinary experience that elevates your baking game.

Each bite delivers a perfect harmony of buttery oats, decadent chocolate, and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt.

The aroma alone will draw everyone into the kitchen, eager to sample these irresistible morsels.

Get ready to make cookie magic that will have everyone begging for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients for Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy foundation with luxurious melt-in-mouth texture, choose high-quality European-style butter for deeper flavor.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provides caramelized sweetness and crisp edges, select fresh, clump-free sugars for smooth mixing.

• Eggs: Creates structural integrity and soft, chewy consistency, use room temperature eggs for even incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, opt for pure vanilla extract over artificial versions.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds cookie's framework with perfect crumbly texture, sift to eliminate potential lumps.
• Rolled Oats: Adds rustic, hearty dimension with delightful nutty undertones, choose old-fashioned oats for best results.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Ensures proper rising and golden-brown exterior, check freshness for optimal leavening.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile, use fine-grain salt for even distribution.

• Dark Chocolate Chunks: Introduces rich, melty pockets of indulgence, select high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa.
• Dried Cranberries: Provides tangy brightness and unexpected fruity contrast, choose plump, glossy berries.
• Fleur de Sel: Adds sophisticated salty crunch, sprinkle sparingly for elegant finishing touch.

Kitchen Tools for Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Electric mixer: Powerful tool for creaming butter and sugar, mixing wet ingredients smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining ingredients comfortably.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Perfect for evenly distributing dry ingredients without lumps.
• Spatula: Essential for gently folding chocolate chunks and cranberries into dough.
• Baking trays: Sturdy surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Non-stick liner for easy cookie removal and quick cleanup.
• Ice cream scoop or two spoons: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized cookie balls.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.

Step-by-Step Guide for Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Oven Preparation Kitchen Ready

Set oven temperature and prepare baking surfaces with parchment paper for perfect cookie baking environment.

• Butter and Sugar Bliss

Create fluffy base by thoroughly mixing butter with brown and white sugars until texture becomes light and airy.

• Liquid Binding Agents

Incorporate vanilla and eggs carefully into butter mixture, ensuring smooth and consistent blending.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt with rolled oats, creating a balanced dry mixture foundation.

• Gentle Mixture Integration

Slowly combine wet and dry ingredients, maintaining delicate balance without aggressive stirring.

• Chocolate and Fruit Fusion

Tenderly fold chocolate chunks and cranberries throughout dough, ensuring even distribution of delicious elements.

• Cookie Formation

Scoop uniform dough portions onto prepared baking sheets, allowing sufficient spacing for proper expansion.

• Salty Finishing Touch

Sprinkle delicate fleur de sel across cookie surfaces, enhancing complex flavor profile.

• Baking Magic

Bake until edges transform into golden brown perfection while maintaining soft, tender center.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack, ready for enjoyment.

Helpful Tips for Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Expert Tips and Twists
• Replace dark chocolate with milk or white chocolate for different flavor profiles. White chocolate pairs beautifully with dried cranberries.
• Prepare cookie dough balls and freeze them up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time for perfect results.
• Chop chocolate chunks roughly for uneven, rustic edges. Smaller pieces create more distributed chocolate throughout each cookie.
• Toast oats in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before mixing to enhance nutty undertones and develop deeper, more complex cookie flavor.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats for celiac-friendly version without compromising delicious texture.

How to Serve Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Pair with Cool Companions: Serve these delightful cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a chilled glass of milk for a classic, comforting treat that enhances the sweet and salty flavor profile.
• Create Gifting Moments: Package these cookies in a rustic kraft paper box with a twine bow for a homemade gift that shows personal care and culinary love, perfect for holidays or special occasions.
• Design Dessert Platter: Arrange cookies on a wooden board with scattered chocolate chunks, fresh cranberries, and a light dusting of sea salt to create an Instagram-worthy presentation that highlights the cookie's beautiful texture and ingredients.
• Craft Coffee Pairing: Enjoy these cookies with a rich espresso or cappuccino, allowing the deep chocolate notes and subtle saltiness to complement the robust coffee flavors for a sophisticated afternoon indulgence.

Make-Ahead Tips for Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Store Securely: Tuck cookies into an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain crisp edges.
• Refrigerate Right: Keep cookies fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, ensuring they remain deliciously soft and chewy.
• Freeze for Later: Pack cookies in freezer-safe bags or containers, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze up to 3 months for instant sweet treats.
• Room Temperature Magic: Allow frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying their original texture and flavor.

Heavenly Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s salty oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies balance sweet and savory notes with exceptional skill. Rich chocolate chunks meld perfectly with crisp oats, creating a memorable treat that satisfies complex cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 340 g (12 oz) bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chunks
• 225 g (8 oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 220 g (1 ¾ cups) plain flour (all-purpose flour)
• 150 g (¾ cup) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
• 110 g (1 cup) old-fashioned oats
• 90 g (⅔ cup) dried cranberries
• 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Fleur de sel, for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack in the middle and warm to 190°C (375°F), simultaneously lining three baking trays with parchment paper for seamless cookie placement.
2. Creaming Stage: Vigorously blend butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, voluminous cream with a smooth, airy texture.
3. Liquid Integration: Drizzle vanilla extract and incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly between additions and ensuring complete ingredient fusion by scraping bowl sides.
4. Dry Component Assembly: Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt together, then gently fold in oats to create a uniform dry mixture with consistent texture.
5. Dough Formation: Gradually combine dry ingredients with butter mixture using low-speed mixing, halting precisely when ingredients are just integrated to maintain optimal cookie structure.
6. Mix-in Incorporation: Gently fold chocolate chunks and cranberries throughout the dough, distributing ingredients evenly for balanced flavor in each bite.
7. Portioning and Seasoning: Scoop dough using a 4.5cm ice cream scoop, placing portions 5cm apart on prepared trays and delicately sprinkling fleur de sel across each cookie for a sophisticated flavor profile.
8. Baking Execution: Transfer trays to preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, targeting a golden-brown exterior while preserving a soft, tender interior.
9. Cooling Protocol: Allow cookies to rest on baking tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and optimal texture development before serving.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming, creating a light and fluffy base that guarantees tender cookies.
• Mixing Technique is Crucial: Avoid overmixing after adding dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense cookies; stop mixing the moment ingredients are just combined.
• Uniform Cookie Size Equals Even Baking: Use an ice cream scoop or consistent measuring technique to create uniform cookie sizes, ensuring consistent baking and texture.
• Fleur de Sel Transforms Flavor: The sprinkle of sea salt enhances chocolate’s richness and creates a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast that elevates the entire cookie experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg